(Newser)
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A new court filing reveals that Paul Manafort's life in prison apparently isn't all that awful. Federal prosecutors argued Wednesday that the financial crimes trial of President Trump's former campaign chairman should not be delayed, as Manafort's lawyers have argued for. Despite his lawyers saying he spends nearly all of his time in solitary confinement, prosecutors described Manafort's living situation as a "private, self-contained living unit, which is larger than other inmates' units" and has its own bathroom and shower, the AP reports. They also revealed that in monitored phone calls from prison, Manafort has said he is able to visit with his lawyers every day, has "all my files like I would at home," and is treated like a "VIP," Politico reports. He also is not required to wear a prison uniform, the Washington Post reports.

Prosecutors were refuting Manafort's lawyers' argument that they can't properly prepare for a trial with their client jailed at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia, two hours outside Washington, DC. Manafort has access to a personal telephone, a personal laptop, and his own workspace where he can meet with his legal team; he's had more than 100 phone calls with his lawyers over the past three weeks and 200 phone calls with other people, they said, and has developed a workaround so he is able to send emails, which prisoners typically are not allowed to do. The judge has ordered Manafort moved from his current jail to the city jail closer to the courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, but his lawyers argued against that, citing concerns for his safety as well as his ability to adjust to a new jail. On Wednesday, the judge upheld the order for Manafort to be moved. His trial is scheduled to begin July 25.

The whole thing is a joke. It doesn't matter if he is in jail. I'm sure he hasn't missed any meals and his lawyers are probably loading him up on chocolate candy.

Twiny

Jul 12, 2018 8:45 AM CDT

Prosecutors were refuting Manafort's lawyers' argument that they can't properly prepare for a trial with their client jailed at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia, two hours outside Washington, DC. The judge has ordered Manafort moved from his current jail to the city jail closer to the courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, but his lawyers argued against that, citing concerns for his safety as well as his ability to adjust to a new jail. On Wednesday, the judge upheld the order for Manafort to be moved. His trial is scheduled to begin July 25. Translation: Manafort's lawyers complained that he was too far away to contribute to his own defense, a claim refuted by the Prosecutors. Now, because his lawyers pretty much lied about his ability to contribute to his defense, he's being moved from his cushy jail to the City jail, where he will not get any special treatment. And that just breaks my heart...

Trump_steals_kids

Jul 12, 2018 7:14 AM CDT

Manafort has his own private quarters, shower, telephone, and laptop. If you committed a crime, would you get the VIP treatment?